The formation of oligomers in emulsifier-free emulsion polymerization of styrene was characterized by means of gel permeation chromatography and surface tension measurements. GPC analysis showed incessant oligomer formation throughout the emulsion polymerization process. Oligomers spanned a molecular weight range of 200-1,500, have an (M) over bar(w) of 800-900, an (M) over bar(n), of 609-800 and a polydispersity index of 1.3. On average, the oligomers contain 4 to 6 styrene units. UV detection could not be utilized to acquire the weight ratio of oligomers to polymers without correction. Combination was the major mode of termination of free radicals in the aqueous phase, but disproportionation was not negligible: for every three-combination reactions there was about 1 disproportionation. Surface tension measurements showed that oligomers minimized the surface tension of the latex at about 50 min reaction to only 30 mN/m.